Families Together Devotion: In Charge and Obedient

Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.“Honor your father and mother” (this is the first commandment with a promise),“that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land.”Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord. (Ephesians 6:1-4)

“If I was in charge, things would be different!”

How many times have you found that thought running through your head? I know I certainly have.

If you listen carefully, you can hear it in all different types of conversations. When people start sentences with, “Well, what you really should do is…” or “If I were you, what I would do…” or “What they really should be doing here…” what people are usually saying is, “If I were running the show, I could do a whole lot better job of it!”

Each of us is called to different roles and responsibilities throughout our lifetime. You will never be only in charge or only obedient. You will get plenty of chances for both roles, and likely you will discover that each is difficult in its own way, and each brings blessings, too.

God is very clear in the Bible about rulers, authority and obedience. Children are to obey their parents, and parents are to lovingly instruct their children. Kids, even at a young age, might be in charge of a pet, take on a leadership role in a club or group or be in charge in other ways, and this will increase as they grow and mature. With those responsibilities, young leaders, too, will be expected to handle the role of a leader with the proper care and nurturing those under them deserve. Parents and other adults can help mentor kids through this process and serve as examples.

Ultimately our obedience is to love and serve God above all others! We read in 2 John 1:6, “And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment, just as you have heard from the beginning, so that you should walk in it.”

In what ways are you in charge in your life currently? In what ways are you called to be obedient?

Say a prayer asking God to help you to love and serve him more deeply in your roles both as a leader and as you obey.

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About The Author

Sara Borgstede is a triathlete, motivational speaker, and writer who has lost over 100 pounds. Her husband Mike is a pastor at Mount Olive Lutheran Church in Aurora, CO and they are parents to 5 kids through birth and special needs adoption, and were foster parents to over 35 children. Sara’s blog, “Balancing in the Holy Mess” at www.saraborgstede.com keeps her readers inspired and laughing.